Christ Still Stands

Scripture:

Job 19:25 (ESV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

Devotional:

My redeemer lives, what an awesome statement.  No other religion, person, or group can say it.  This time of year, we celebrate the truth and fact that Jesus Christ our redeemer does indeed live.  Something I have wondered from time to time is why would you want to follow a dead savior?  No one else can save us.  No one else can pay our debt of sin. 

I’ve heard more than once that it takes more faith to not believe than it does to believe in Christ.  All we have to do is look around to see the evidence of God.  He presents himself to us all the time.  All we have to do is be open and to look.  I think people just do not want to see.  I think we can become too comfortable with the status quo.  Life is good, I have all I want, how can any god that is good and loving let these things happen.  I am in control of my destiny…  Do any of these sound familiar?  What is it that you say to yourself?

I do not pretend to have any or all the answers.  But, what I do know is that Jesus lived, died, and is now alive.  He returned from the grave alive and well.  He loves us so much that He allows us to make our own choices.  Because of our freedom we sometimes choose poorly, and bad and horrible things happen in this world.  There is sickness and even death.  What is amazing and awesome is that despite all our faults, rebellion, and sins, God loves us enough to send Jesus.  Jesus loves us so much he suffered and died.  He has risen and is alive.

God never promises a life free of pain and suffering.  He never promised that bad things will not happen.  (Remember He gives us the freedom to make our own choices.)  What he does promise is to be with us through it all.  Life is sometimes hard and difficult.  However, life is also good and wonderful.  It is what we make of it.  Our attitude will shape our lives.  Our focus will shape our attitudes…

Christ still stands and will stand at the end.  He is my savior and my redeemer.  What about you?